Figarella's Queen set to rebound in Dogwood
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Brad Cox will be some 700 miles away in suburban Philadelphia when Figarella’s Queen runs Saturday in the Dogwood Stakes at the trainer’s home track, Churchill Downs. His absence will be understandable, as his stable star Monomoy Girl will still be cooling out in the Parx Racing stable area following the Grade 1 Cotillion.
Cox has been on hand, however, for the bulk of preparation ahead of the $100,000 Dogwood, a seven-furlong race that highlights an 11-race Churchill card. He is happy with what he has seen with Figarella’s Queen in the aftermath of her failed run in the Aug. 18 Alabama at Saratoga, where the Medaglia d’Oro filly was eased by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. after chasing a hot pace in a race won by the far-back trailer, Eskimo Kisses.
“We’re putting a line through the Alabama,” Cox said. “Once she started backing up like she did, Irad took care of her. She lived to fight another day, and she’s trained great up to this.”
Prior to the 1 1/4-mile Alabama, Figarella’s Queen proved highly capable against the brand of 3-year-old fillies she will face in the 43rd Dogwood by winning a second-level allowance at Churchill in June, then finishing second in the Grade 3 Indiana Oaks at Indiana Grand in July. On a substantial turnback in distance Saturday, she will be ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan and breaks from post 1 in a field of 11.
“The one-hole out of that chute can be a little tricky, but she’s got the tactical ability for Shaun to get position,” Cox said.
Perhaps the top threat to Figarella’s Queen will start on the opposite end of the Churchill starting gate in post 11 – Go Google Yourself, who has been training smartly following a disappointing effort in the June 16 Regret Stakes on turf here. Brian Hernandez Jr. has the mount for trainer Paul McGee.
Other fillies who figure among the core of Dogwood favorites include a speedy Chicago shipper, Jean Elizabeth (post 4, James Graham); Miss Mimosa (post 5, Ricardo Santana Jr.), a last-out two-turn allowance winner at Saratoga for Bill Mott; and Everyonelovesjimmy (post 7, Chris Landeros), a winner in 3 of 5 career starts, all for Ian Wilkes.
First post Saturday is 12:45 p.m. Eastern, with the Dogwood (race 10) set for 5:26, or about 30 minutes after the Cotillion is run at Parx. Three top jockeys who ride regularly at Churchill will be at Parx instead – Robby Albarado, Florent Geroux, and Corey Lanerie.
The Dogwood, first run in 1975, anchors a solid Saturday card that also includes one allowance (race 9) and three maiden special weights (races 3, 5, 8). The first maiden race drew Conquistador, the $2.45 million purchase who returns from an 11-month layoff after twice being defeated as an odds-on favorite.
The last four stakes at this 11-day September meet will be run next Saturday (Sept. 29) under the lights. The meet ends Sept. 30, with Keeneland starting its 17-day fall meet Oct. 5.